Dear Constituents,

Since my last report, a number of matters have come up which I wanted to inform you about. On the cover, I am shown with the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Secretary of State for Children and Youth with whom I launched a Tool Kit on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which MPs will be able to use to inform Canadians across the country.

In April, Parliament also voted 95% in favour of considering the advisability of health warning labels on the containers of alcoholic beverages. These would caution expectant mothers about the risks associated with alcohol consumption. I have worked on these issues for many years and I am very pleased with the progress made towards reducing the incidence of FAS in Canada.

Foot and mouth disease in animals has been in the news for some time and there is a significant risk to our agricultural industry. That is why Canada has taken important steps to protect ourselves and I have prepared an article to outline our strategy.

Pensions for seniors are very important to ensure that all our seniors can live in dignity. There are a number of details associated with CPP and OAS with which you may not be familiar and I have highlighted some of these in another article.

I have also prepared articles on a solar energy investment the Government has made; an outline of the draft legislation on reproductive technologies; a look at new legislation related to Internet crime; and some highlights of the achievements from the Summit of the Americas.

As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, the work is challenging and very interesting but it also means that I do not have as much time in Mississauga as I would like. My staff keeps me informed of constituent matters and we discuss responses to questions as required. They are also aware of my schedule and so far have been able to schedule appointments requested by constituents reasonably well. I thank you for your understanding.

One aspect of my work which I really enjoy is to meet with lobby groups. Each week some group is in Ottawa to lobby MPs to support their cause. It could be the Nurses Association, Airline Pilots, Drug Companies, Tourism Groups etc. There is one group that I really look forward to seeing. They are the International Association of Fire Fighters and they are without a doubt the most popular, best-organized and well-prepared groups I have encountered. This May, they came to Ottawa to talk about pensions. You may be interested to know that fire fighters have a lower life expectancy than the national average and in many cases, they do not have enough years of work to earn a full CPP benefit. I have had a Private Members Motion to address this matter and consideration is being given to possible changes.

I hope you find this report to be informative and as always, I welcome your comments or questions. Have a great summer!

Sincerely,

Paul Szabo

Paul meets in Ottawa with Mississauga Fire Fighters

Steve Petrasoniak, Mark Train, Greg Laing and Marty Goodkey

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program are two parts of Canada’s retirement income system. They provide a modest base on which to build for your retirement and can supplement income from other pensions and personal savings. CPP is not just a pension plan. In addition, your contributions to the CPP entitle you to disability benefits should you be unable to work, survivor benefits for your surviving spouse and dependent children and a death benefit. For the year ended March 2000, CPP expenditures totalled $19.2 billion. Of this, $13 billion was for retirement benefits, $3.1 billion was for survivor benefits, $2.8 billion was for disability benefits and $0.3 billion was for administration.

You qualify for a CPP retirement benefit if you have contributed to the plan and have reached the age of 65. You can also take a reduced pension as early as age 60 or you can increase the amount of your pension benefit by delaying the receipt of you benefits as late as age 70. You also have the option of sharing as much as 50% of your pension with your spouse. This could reduce your taxes if your spouse has a lower tax rate.

The amount of your CPP retirement benefit depends on how much you contributed to the CPP and for how long. For example, if you lived and worked in Canada from age 18 to 65 and earned about the average Canadian wage, you would receive an annual benefit of about $9,000. The average Canadian wade in 1999 was $38,000. CPP benefits are also fully index to the cost of living so your future purchasing power will be protected.

The Old Age Security program provides seniors with a basic income in retirement starting at age 65. In 1999, 3.7 million Canadians received $24 billion in OAS benefits. The amount you receive depends on how long you have lived in Canada. If you have lived in Canada most of your life, your annual OAS pension would be about $5,000. The OAS benefit is also indexed to the cost of living. In addition, if you have a very low income at age 65, you could receive a Guaranteed Income Supplement. Finally, low-income 60-64 year olds who are widowed or are spouses of OAS/GIS recipients, may qualify for an allowance if they have lived in Canada for 10 years after age 18.

You can receive the OAS pension if you are 65 and:

• You live in Canada, you are a Canadian citizen or legal resident when your pension is approved and you have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18; or
• You left the country as a Canadian citizen or legal resident and had lived in Canada for at least 20 years after age 18; or
• You lived and worked in a country that had a social security agreement with Canada. These agreements can help you qualify for a pension.

Almost all seniors receive the full OAS basic pension. If your income was over $53,960 in 2000, the OAS pension is reduced by 15% of the amount by which your income exceeds the limit. In Canada, only 2% of seniors lose the full amount of OAS. The clawback does not apply to CPP benefits.

Your CPP and OAS benefits do not start automatically. You must apply for benefits and should do so about six months before you want your pension to begin.

If you would like to receive an application or if you need more information, you should call toll free to:

1-877-454-4051

For more information, you can also visit Canada’s Human Resources Development web site at www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/isp.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an extremely serious, highly communicable livestock illness and is now confirmed in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Argentina and Uruguay. FMD is not a significant threat to human health. The concern is that meat or animal products infected with FMD virus or raw or improperly cooked food products containing infected meat or animal products could e fed to susceptible animals. Airborne spread of the virus can easily occur. FMD can also spread easily from farm to farm because of the movement of animals, people or materials.

This disease is rarely fatal except in very young animals. All infected animals become weakened and debilitated. There is no cure for FMD. It has a two to three week duration after which time many of the animals recover naturally. The justification for the slaughter policy as seen in the UK is that widespread disease throughout the country would become economically disastrous to the agricultural industry. Canada has been free of FMD since 1952. It is estimated that an FMD outbreak in Canada would cost as much as $35 billion

The FMD virus is very hardy.

• Survives freezing temperatures.
• Has an incubation period from 8 to 21 days.
• Has been found viable after milk pasteurization.
• Has been recovered from cattle stalls 14 days after removal of infected cattle; from urine after 39 days; from soil after 28 days and from dry hay after 20 weeks.
• Can be carried by people up to 14 days after contact.
• Can be inhaled and trapped in a human’s respiratory system for up to 36 hours and then expelled in saliva or breath.
• Can travel 300 kms by water and 80 kms by land
• Can cling to clothing, shoes or luggage for at least nine weeks and thereby transferred to others.

Without strong precautions, FMD could literally wipe out the agriculture industry in Canada and cause economic disaster. That is why the Government of Canada has implemented the following 4 Phase strategy to maximize our state of preparedness:

• Phase 1 – IMMEDIATE CONTROLS – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency immediately responded to the threat of FMD by suspending all import permits from the UK and other countries for susceptible products.
• Phase 2 – INCREASED SURVEILLANCE – Travellers from countries infected by FMD are required to follow simple but effective disinfectant procedures. There is warning signs at airports, increased surveillance measures and advisories and in-flight announcements given to all travellers to FMD countries.
• Phase 3 – COMMUNICATION AND PREVENTION PLANNING – Educational material has been distributed to industry groups, agricultural association events, public information sessions and rural communities. There is also a comprehensive media campaign and the formation of a federal committee to coordinate prevention measures.
• Phase 4 – ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS – The public will be well informed on prevention measures and how they can cooperate in preventing the risk of FMD. The coming of the summer and tourism season make it appropriate to increase awareness of prevention measures.

Canada is ready to act rapidly and effectively to control and eradicate FMD should it occur. We have developed a very detailed animal health emergency response plan to act swiftly in the event of an FMD outbreak. The public awareness campaign has cost $1.8 million compared to the estimated cost of $35 billion if FMD did enter Canada. Every Canadian, particularly those travelling abroad have a vital role to play to keep Canada free of FMD.

Further information on FMD is available on the CFIA web site at www.inspection.gc.ca or by calling tool free at 1-877-227-0677.

As you know, I have been a long time advocate of health warning labels on the containers of alcoholic beverages to caution expectant mothers about the risks associated with alcohol consumption (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services, I am restricted from sponsoring private members Bills or Motions. I was pleased however that another MP brought forward my motion and I was pleased to second the motion in the House.

Private members motions do not bind the Government but a strong vote of support does require serious consideration. As such, I worked closely with MPs from all parties to secure support for the motion. The motion was debated in the House in early April and on April 23^rd, the House voted 217 to 11 in favour of the motion. With the support of 95% of MPs, I am very hopeful that the Minister of Health will give this matter very careful consideration.

April 23rd Press Conference on Health Warning Labels - Motion M155 with Diane Ablonczy (Alliance), Paul, Judy Wasylycia-Leis (NDP), Diane Bourgeois (Bloc) and Andre Bachand (PC).

In my last Householder, I reported on the important commitment the Government had made in the Throne Speech to work to reduce the incidence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Since that time, significant work has continued towards meeting this objective.

On April 26^th, I had the honour to join the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Secretary of State for Children and Youth to launch a tool kit on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE) for the use of Parliamentarians. The kit includes a variety of useful resources and information, including fact sheets, questions and answers and sample speeches for schools and other audiences. This kit will enable all Members of Parliament to provide consistent and helpful information about FAS all across Canada. A high level of public awareness is a very important part of the strategy to reduce FAS and I am delighted at the important steps that have been taken by the Government.

Paul joins the Honourable Ethel Blodin-Andrew in the launch of the FAS Tool Kit for Members of Parliament.

At our Forum on the Environment in January, a number of residents expressed the view that more had to be done to develop economic and lower polluting energy alternatives. That is why on May 18^th, I was pleased to join the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources for a special event in Mississauga’s Sheridan Research Park. It was the unveiling of the National Solar Test Facility’s new solar lamp and the announcement that the Government of Canada was investing in the development of an affordable solar water-heating system for the residential market.

The Government of Canada invested $730,000 toward a new solar-simulator lamp to upgrade the National Solar Test Facility located at the Bodycote Technology Centre in Mississauga. Natural Resources Canada owns the solar testing equipment and supports the facility by contributing about $200,000 annually for solar related services. The Government will also contribute $925,000 for the commercialization of a solar water heating system.

Heating water accounts for 20% of a home’s energy needs and produces about two tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Solar water heaters can reduce these emissions by 40 to 50%. This project will make solar water heaters more economically feasible for the average consumer thereby helping to address climate change and to create jobs.

The solar water heating systems will be developed by EnerWorks, a Canadian company in London Ontario, and the total cost of the project is about $4 million. The first 100 systems will be installed in homes by late spring or early summer with the help of Toronto Hydro, Guelph Hydro and Kingston Hearthmakers. Next year the systems should be available commercially and will be priced to deliver solar energy at a rate competitive with Ontario residential energy rates. Please contact my office for further information.

On May 3, 2001, the Minister of Health presented draft legislation that would ban human cloning, regulate assisted reproduction and address research in this area. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health is conducting hearings on the legislation and is expected to report in January 2002.

The draft legislation addresses something very fundamental to the lives of many Canadians – the desire to have children and to build a family. The objective is to make sure that reproductive technologies, that offer some women a better chance of having a child, are safe and that Canadians are able to make informed decisions about them. It is also important that research related to assisted human reproduction takes place within a regulated environment. Such research could be used to treat spinal cord injuries or in treating other diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and cancer.

The draft legislation would ban certain activities, for example:

• The cloning of human beings;
• The sale and purchase of human embryos; and
• Paying women to act as surrogate mothers

Other activities would be allowed but would be strictly regulated. Regulations would cover, for example, the safety of reproductive materials and the licencing of certain types of research.

These issues were first raised in the report of the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies. A complete briefing kit is available through my office or on the Health Canada web site at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/reproduction. If you would like to submit your views to the Health Committee, you can send them to The Clerk of the Standing Committee on Health, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6. No postage is necessary.

On March 14, 2001, the Minister of Justice introduced legislation to better protect Canadians and safeguard children from cyber criminals. The new provisions will deal with the following:

Internet Luring: Research shows that predators are using the Internet, masking their identity and pretending to be children or young adults, to lure children into a situation where they could be sexually abused. The new luring offence will make it illegal to communicate with a child for the purpose of committing a sexual offense against that child.

Child Pornography on the Internet: The Bill will create other new offences. Under the new legislation, it will be a crime to:

• "transmit" child pornography. This will make distribution of child pornography from one person to another illegal.
• "make available" child pornography. This applies when someone posts child pornography material on a web site or offers information on where to find it.
• "export" child pornography. This provision fulfils Canada’s international obligations under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.
• "possess child pornography for the purposes of" transmitting, making available or exporting.
• "accessing". This new provision will prohibit anyone from intentionally accessing child pornography on the Internet.

There is no doubt that the Internet has allowed us to broaden our horizons. Nevertheless, while we capitalize on the opportunities and benefits it brings, we must confront its potential dangers and combat crimes committed using the Internet particularly when it comes to the most vulnerable members of our society – our children. Please contact my office for more information.

The Summit of the Americas in April in Quebec City was the most important hemispheric meeting ever to occur in Canada. Thirty-four democratically elected leaders from North, Central, South America and the Caribbean signed a Declaration and Plan of Action making a strong affirmation to democracy and to their countries’ commitment to further the development of a coherent and balance political, economic and social agenda in our hemisphere.

The first major achievement of the Summit was the Democracy Clause in the Summit Declaration. This establishes respect for the maintenance of democratic institutions as an essential condition for participation in the Summit process.

The second major achievement of the Summit was the re-affirmation by the leaders of their commitment to conclude the Free Trade Area of the Americas by 2005 within the context of a broader commitment to prosperity and to reduction of inequalities and poverty in the hemisphere.

The third major achievement of the Summit relates to how citizens of the Americas can realize their fullest human potential. Commitments to education and health reflect the continuing importance of cooperation in support of these essential social services. Canada was successful in obtaining endorsement of the development of initiatives to support the protection of the rights of children and action to assist youth in the hemisphere.

Establishing a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) would make it he largest free trade zone in the world boasting a market of 800 million people, in 34 countries with a combined GDP of $16 trillion. This will bring enormous opportunities for every region of Canada.

OTTAWA OFFICE MISSISSAUGA OFFICE

Room 175 1684 Lakeshore Road West

Confederation Building Unit 20

House of Commons Mississauga, Ontario

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 L5J 1J5

Telephone: 613-992-4848 905-822-2111

Fax: 613-996-3267 905-822-2115

Email: szabop@parl.gc.ca szabop1@parl.gc.ca

Visit us on the Internet: www.paulszabo.com

Special personal messages of congratulations may be requested for those Birthdays and Anniversaries listed below. As these events are very important occasions, you may want to request a message, when applicable, from Her Majesty The Queen, the Governor General and the Prime Minister of Canada.

Greetings from Her Majesty the Queen are available for 100th Birthdays and every 5th year thereafter, and 60th Wedding Anniversaries and every 5th year thereafter. Please note that copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates are required by Government House for messages from The Queen.

Birthdays

75th and over - message from the Prime Minister

90th - 99th - message from the Governor General

100th and over - message from Her Majesty The Queen (copy of birth certificate required)

Wedding Anniversaries

25th and over - message from the Prime Minister

50th - 59th - message from the Governor General

60th and over - message from Her Majesty The Queen (copy of marriage certificate required)

Please complete this form to inform us of the occasion and return it postage free to my Constituency Office.

Visit us on the Internet: www.paulszabo.com

Mississauga Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled during office hours or other arrangements can be made by calling the office.

Constituents may write to any Member of Parliament or Cabinet Minister postage free. Simply address your envelope to the particular Member, c/o House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6. Your views and suggestions are important.